Advent/Christmas Multimedia and Worship Resources – AlterNativity

December 13th, 2007

Alternativity is a resource produced in the UK by a group of people who wanted to develop new ways and liturgies for individuals, families and communities to explore, re-tell, play with and enter into the story of Jesus’ birth. The books develloped by the project include liturgies that can be used in worship in a variety of settings, the book “The Alternativity Meal” for example gives a process for families or communities to enter into a meal that re-tells the story of Christ’s birth, much like the passover meal.

I highly recommend these resources to churches, families and communities who want a set of resources that are very different and that will encourage them, their children and their community to explore the stories of our faith in new, thoughtful and exciting ways…

ALTERnativity wants to:

Rediscover the values of the Magnificat.

Remember the simplicity and meaning of the Incarnation, with the freedom, joy and peace that is offered in the coming of the Messiah.

Resist the excesses of consumerism, which cause some to incur unpayable debts and stress to many.

The aims include:

Taking a fresh look at the bible story and drawing out the underlying meaning and values.

Looking for ways in which worship can more readily reflect the reality of the first Christmas.

Listening to the pressures people experience and working together to find ALTERnatives.

Helping ourselves and others understand the implications of excessive consumerism, both environmentally and for people across the world.

Exploring practical ways in which we can simplify the celebration so that it becomes more sustainable – at a personal level, at a global level and environmentally.

ALTERnativity has ideas about getting started but whatever it is you choose to do, it needs to start with a conversation. You can’t make the Christmas changes alone – it needs to be with friends and colleagues who share your unease with the way we celebrate.